Instructional baseball

ABSTRACT

An instructional ball having an inner core, an outer core is an ellipsoid, and an outer cover. The instructional ball has an ellipsoid shape, a longitudinal axis, and a generally circular transverse cross-section along a transverse axis.

PRIORITY

The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 13/013921, filed Jan. 26, 2011 which is a continuation U.S.patent application Ser. No. 12/196907, which was filed on Aug. 22, 2008and is incorporated by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to the game of baseball, and, in particular, theinstruction of the pitch known as the “gyroball” pitch.

BACKGROUND

The “gyroball” pitch was first identified by the Japanese scientistGitau Kimani, and later developed into specific throwing technique bybaseball instructor, Kazushi Tezuka, who used computer simulations tocreate a new style of delivery intended to reduce stress on the pitcher.According to Tezuka, a gyroball is thrown so hard, at the point ofrelease, instead of having the pitcher's arm move inwards towards thebody (the standard method used in the United States), the pitcherrotates his arm so that it moves away from his body, toward third basefor a right-handed pitcher and toward first base for a left-handedpitcher.

While explaining the proper and improper methods of throwing a gyroballpitch can a relatively simple task, teaching a pitcher to actually throwthe gyroball pitch is frequently a difficult endeavor. However, thetechnique to throwing the gyroball pitch appears to be in the arm, notin the unique grip of the baseball. The unusual method of deliverycreates a bullet-like spin on the ball with the axis of spin in linewith the direction of the throw. The gyroball pitch, if throwncorrectly, also is meant to fly straight like a fastball.

In baseball, the ability to throw a gyroball pitch can be useful againstbatters. Batters use the arm speed of the pitcher and the spin on abaseball, made visible by the seams, to judge the speed and trajectoryof a pitch. However, the gyroball is thrown with the arm speed of ausual fastball, but with a different actual speed. Its bullet-likespinning motion may hide the seams of a ball from the view of thebatter, which makes it more difficult to predict the pitch. The batter,predicting a change in speed caused by the ball's spin, may adapt to thewrong speed and swing incorrectly.

Accordingly, there is a need for an instructional ball to help pitcherslearn to throw a proper or improved gyropitch. It is to this need, amongothers, that the present invention is directed.

SUMMARY

This application discloses an instructional ball that can be used toprovide individuals with a training aid for learning or improving uponbaseball or softball throwing skills. The instructional ball may bestructured to have characteristics, including shape, size, and weight,that are similar to the characteristics of a conventional or regulationbaseball. Accordingly, the instructional ball may have a relativelysmall size that is appropriate for children, or the instructional ballmay have a standard, regulation size for professionals. By configuringthe instructional ball to have conventional characteristics, theindividual may transition to a conventional baseball, followingtraining, without having to modify the learned or improved skills toaccommodate a conventional baseball.

In operation, the instructional ball is for training a pitcher's armand/or wrists for throwing a gyroball pitch and trains the pitcher's armand/or wrist to make this pitch. The pitcher grabs the instructionalball with the appropriate grip and imparts a spin into the instructionalball of the type required for a gyroball pitch. Continuous practicewhile spinning a ball in this nature teaches the pitcher the properwrist motion in throwing a baseball for producing a gyroball pitch. Aparticipant practices using the instructional ball and builds up themuscles to throw a gyroball pitch. Specifically, by using the correctmuscle groups and motions, the participant can throw a gyroball pitchwhen he or she throws a regulation baseball.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Specific embodiments of the invention will become apparent and itsconstruction and operation better understood, from the followingdetailed description when read in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is an elevation view of one specific embodiment of theinstructional ball looking at the instructional ball from the rightside;

FIG. 2 is another elevation view of the specific embodiment shown inFIG. 1 (turned 90 degrees about axis 4) looking at the instructionalball from the right side;

FIG. 3 is a side elevation view of the embodiment of the presentinvention shown in FIG. 4 looking at the present invention from the end;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the embodiment of the presentinvention shown in FIG. 1 from the right side; and

FIG. 5 is another cross-sectional view of the embodiment of the presentinvention shown in FIG. 1 from the end.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following discussion and accompanying figures disclose specificembodiments of the instructional ball 10. The primary purpose of theinstructional ball 10 is to provide individuals with a training aid forlearning or improving upon baseball or softball throwing skills. Theinstructional ball 10 may be structured to have characteristics,including shape, size, and weight, that are similar to thecharacteristics of a conventional baseball. The instructional ball 10may have a relatively small size that is appropriate for children, orthe instructional ball 10 may have a standard size for professionals. Byconfiguring the instructional ball 10 to have conventionalcharacteristics, the individual may transition to a conventionalbaseball following training without having to modify the learned orimproved skills to accommodate a conventional baseball.

FIGS. 1 and 2 are a side view of an embodiment of an instructional ball10. The instructional ball 10 may be provided with a football-shapedbody 12 in that it may be an ellipsoid having a longitudinal axis 4 anda generally circular transverse cross section along axis 5. Thefootball-shaped body 12 may be provided with a size similar to that of aregulation baseball to allow it to be gripped by one's hand prior tothrowing the instructional ball 10. FIGS. 2 through 5 show that theinstructional ball 10 can have a conventional construction. A footballshaped body 12 can be formed around a core which is enclosed within acover 14. The core (generally) refers to the material beneath the cover14 and may have any suitable construction such as a conventional woundconstruction. In FIGS. 4 and 5, the instructional ball 10 can be shapedas a football and has substantially the same interior as regulation typebaseball. When thrown, the instructional ball creates a bullet-like spinon the ball with the axis of spin in line with the direction of thethrow.

Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, the football-shaped body 12 may be providedwith an inner core 22, which may comprise a cork-type material, and anouter core 23, which may comprise a rubber-like material that resistsabrasion. The specific materials that can be used in the football-shapedbody 12 are not considered important to the invention and in many casesare the typical materials used to construct a regulation baseball. Whilethe inner core 22 is shown to be less than the size of the instructionalball 10, it is understood that the inner core 22 can be sized to take upthe entire structure. It is also understood that outer core 23 isunnecessary when the inner core 22 takes up the entire structure of thefootball shaped body 12. As can be seen, the cross-section of theinstructional ball 10 can be very similar to that of a regulationbaseball. For example and as shown in FIGS. 1 through 5, theinstructional ball 10 has the same characteristics as a baseball usedprimarily in the sport of the same name, baseball.

In one embodiment, the instructional ball 10 can have longitudinalperimeter of between about 7 inches and 11 inches and generally between8½ inches and 9½ inches in circumference (in the center longitudinallyabout axis 5), and about 4 to 8 ounces in weight For example, theinstructional ball 10 can be generally between 9 inches (22.9 cm) and 9¼inches (23.5 cm) in circumference (in the center longitudinally), and 5ounces in weight, though sometimes different-size balls may be used inchildren's leagues. The inner core 22 or the outer core 23 of theinstructional ball 10 can be cork, rubber, or a mixture of the two, andcan be sometimes layered. Around the inner core 22, there can be variouslinear materials including yarn and twine, sometimes wool.

A leather cover is put on, in two pieces, and stitched together usingstitches of waxed cotton thread which is typically red in color. Rolledstitching can be flattering and can create less air-resistance.

In order to create a consistent texture (e.g. smooth, natural feel tothe fingers), the same material as conventional baseballs can be used tohelp enable the pitcher to throw the ball without the distraction ofvarying surface textures. In order to further minimize any perceptibledifferences between throwing a regulation baseball and throwing theinstructional ball 10, the instructional ball 10 may be constructed frommaterials having a density greater than that of the materials from whicha regulation baseball is constructed such that the weight of theinvention is the same as the weight of a regulation baseball.

The cover of the instructional ball 10 may have any suitableconstruction and may be constructed of any suitable material such ascowhide or horsehide. The cover 14 presents an ellipsoid, having alongitudinal axis 4 and a generally circular transverse cross about axis5, section when it is applied around the core. In one specific example,the core is covered with two pieces of leather that are stitchedtogether using 108 stitches of thread.

As can be seen, the instructional ball 10 can be constructed by one ofordinary skill in the art. For example, the instructional ball 10 can becrafted from hide that is typically used with traditional baseballs.While this discussion has been with respect to the instructional ball 10as it relates to a regulation baseball, the instructional ball 10 neednot necessary to be for regulation baseball. For example, theinstructional ball 10 can be used for softball.

Since the instructional ball 10 is not intended to be used in aregulation game, it may be made from any number of materials ofappropriate density and weight, such as those plastics from whichpractice balls are currently made, and may be shaped using any number ofmanufacturing methods including, but not limited to, injection molding.Similarly, where a horsehide cover is utilized, which it need not be ifa simulated seam (which is considered a seam for purposes of thisinvention) is supplied, the cover need not be an altered regulationbaseball cover.

In operation, the instructional ball 10 is for training a pitcher's armand/or wrists for throwing a gyroball pitch and trains the pitcher's armand/or wrists to make this pitch. The pitcher grabs the instructionalball 10 with the appropriate grip and imparts a spin into theinstructional ball of the type required for a gyroball pitch. Continuouspractice while spinning a ball in this nature teaches the pitcher theproper wrist motion in throwing a baseball for producing a gyroballpitch and over time the “wobble” can be corrected. A participantpractices using the instructional ball 10 and builds up the muscles tothrow a gyroball pitch. Specifically, by using the correct muscle groupsand adapting the pitch, the participant can throw a gyroball pitch whenhe or she throws a regulation baseball.

While the above is a description of the invention in its embodiments,various modifications, alternate constructions and equivalents may beemployed, only some of which have been described above. For example, inview of the principles of baseball aerodynamics and the need forsymmetry in the invention as discussed above, one skilled in the artwill appreciate that acceptable results can be obtained if depressionsof suitable dimensions are provided in only two non-adjacent areas ofthe four areas defined by the horseshoe-shaped boundaries formed by theseam of the covering of a regulation baseball. Therefore, the abovedescription and illustration should not be taken as limiting the scopeof the invention which is defined by the appended claims.

The above detailed description, and the examples, are for illustrativepurposes only and are not intended to limit the scope and spirit of theinvention, and its equivalents, as defined by the appended claims. Oneskilled in the art will recognize that many variations can be made tothe invention disclosed in this specification without departing from thescope and spirit of the invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for improving a pitcher's ability tothrow a ball in a sport comprising: a. providing the pitcher with aninstructional ball that is football-shaped body having a longitudinalaxis and a generally circular transverse cross section, which has aninner core and outer core; b. having the pitcher grip the body; and c.repeatedly throwing the ball, whereby the repetition allows the correctmuscle groups to develop and to adapt to throw the gyroball pitch. 2.The method of claim 1, wherein the ball has an ellipsoid shape, alongitudinal axis, and a generally circular transverse cross-sectionalong a transverse axis; the inner core is heavier than the inner core;the longitudinal perimeter is between about 7 inches and 11 inches; thelongitudinal perimeter is about 9 inches; and the ball is about 5 ouncesin weight.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the inner core of the ballis selected group consisting of plastic material, rubber, and acombination thereof.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the sport is abaseball.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the sport is a softball.